Firehawk Oversubscribes $60 Million Investment, Securing Key European Investor
Firehawk Aerospace, a defense company specializing in advanced energetics and propulsion, has just secured investment from Presto Tech Horizons (PTH), a defense and resilience tech fund created through a partnership between European venture capital firm Presto Ventures and global industrial and technology firm CSG (Czechoslovak Group). This comes just months after a $60 million investment round, led by 1789 Capital.
The investment aims to strengthen the defense capabilities of NATO and allied forces, increasing the adoption of technologies like Firehawk’s, which includes solid rocket motors powered by additively manufactured rocket propellant. Additionally, the collaboration offers a new model for delivering novel defense technologies at scale, enabling rapid deployment across allied defense industrial bases.
“The conflict in Ukraine proves that while drones give warfighters a decisive edge, munitions like missiles and rockets are the core of combat power,” says Will Edwards, CEO of Firehawk. ”A supply chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and propellant and energetics production are the biggest constraint on missile, rocket, and artillery manufacturing. Enabling the European defense industry to also produce these weapons quickly and at scale is the core of Firehawk’s mission. We’re proud to partner with Presto Tech Horizons and CSG to help bolster the European energetics supply chain and ensure our allies can fuel the production of key defense equipment.”
Michal Strnad, Chairman of the Board and owner of CSG, added, “Firehawk can play a crucial role in the future of not only rocket propulsion, but also ammunition production. This innovative project can strengthen cooperation between leaders of the American and European defense industries.” The parties are looking into opportunities for industrial application of Firehawk’s technologies.
Building on 3D Printing and Defense
Globally, many governments have been leveraging additive manufacturing for defense, with the United States Department of Defense spending millions in research and development across universities alone. Rocket propellant, along with engines, drones, space probes are just a few among the many tools being additively manufactured.
The Dallas, Texas-based Firehawk has made a name for itself with its 3D printed, hybrid, thermoplastic-based rocket propellant, capable of increasing efficiency and reducing supply chain constraints. Traditionally, engine propellant is made using a casting and curing process, which can take two months to produce. By contrast, Forbes reported that Firehawk claims its propellant can be made within hours. Furthermore, the fuel can be fabricated on the battlefield.
Firehawk’s launch of a tactical-ready 3D printed hybrid rocket for U.S. Army
“Since the early 2010s, scientists and engineers have explored 3D printing as a way to unlock faster, safer, and more flexible solid propellant production,” Matej Luhovy, newly appointed Partner at Presto Tech Horizons said. “Firehawk is the first to truly deliver on that promise. They combine rapid manufacturing with complex grain designs that were once impossible, improving performance while enabling distributed production at scale. Firehawk’s technology doesn’t just speed up how propellants are made – it fundamentally reshapes the supply chain for missiles and rockets. That’s why this partnership is so important for Europe’s defense resilience.”
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*All Photo Credits: Firehawk Aerospace
